Gruber, the former mayor of Elberta, was elected in 2006. He defeated Ollie Daw for

(File photo) Baldwin County Commissioner Charles "Skip" Gruber

the Republican nomination in June.

Mullek had filed to run in the Republican primary, but had to withdraw after missing a deadline to file the pre-election report required by state law. He then qualified to run as an independent in the general election.

Both candidates said last week that a key issue in recent weeks in the campaign has been Amendment One. The amendment would create a board to manage stormwater runoff in Baldwin County. The amendment would also allow service charges to be collected from some property owners to pay for stormwater management.

Mullek said this is not the time for Baldwin residents to face additional fees or taxes.

"So many people just cannot see at this time any more taxes. They’re saying they’re taxed enough; the economy is so bad right now," Mullek said. "Most individuals and businesses are trying to recoup from BP and a lot of people have not, particularly in the south part of Baldwin County, but all of Baldwin County is suffering because of that."

Mullek said runoff from developed areas is a problem, but officials in existing agencies should go back and try to resolve the situations rather than creating new organizations.

"I also feel that part of the problem is with planning and zoning and with the county

file photoDistrict 4 challenger Al Mullek

and with the cities and at times we allowed variances when we shouldn’t have," Mullek said. "We need to look at what caused these problems a long time ago and we need to correct those."

Gruber said past efforts by existing agencies have not worked and the stormwater problem is getting worse as Baldwin County is developed.

"I know people feel that this is not the best time in the world to be looking at adding a fee to anybody. It’s not all about the fee. The main part that I’m looking at is we have to start somewhere," he said. "We’ve got to look at the concept of what it will do as far as improving the water quality and everything else. Something has to be done."

Gruber said the current commission has managed to keep the county in good financial condition during difficult economic times.

"The county is in good shape," he said. "We passed a budget and we’ve still got a reserve built into it. If we have another hurricane or something else happens, we’ve got enough that we could be whole for about six months."

He said the county also continues to have good listings with bond rating companies such as Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s.

Mullek said he would like to see better communications between the commission and public. He said some meetings could be held in Robertsdale to allow residents from south Baldwin a better chance to address the commission.

Mullek said commissioners could also seek legislation to add a fifth member elected at large. "Right now, two commissioners can veto anything that comes up," he said. "Of any commission I’ve ever seen, there has always been an odd number, not an even one."

Mullek, 63, of Elberta retired from the Baldwin County Public Schools system and has also taught at St. Patrick and St. Benedict Catholic schools and Pensacola Junior College.

Gruber, 60, of Elberta was elected to the commission in 2006 after serving as mayor of Elberta and working 30 years for the Baldwin County Highway Department.

Of the other three commission seats, Frank Burt was unopposed in District 1 and two incumbents lost to challengers in Republican runoff elections on July 13.

David Ed Bishop lost to Bob James in the District 2 race, while Wayne Gruenloh was defeated by Tucker Dorsey in District 3.

Neither Burt, James or Dorsey faces an opponent in the general election.

County commissioners serve four-year terms. The annual salary is $32,000 with the commission chairman receiving $37,000.

While most other county races were decided during the primaries, Baldwin voters will also decide on two other amendments.

Amendment Two calls for the establishment of the Stockton Landmark District and prohibits annexation of areas in the district.

Amendment Three would require that waste generated in Baldwin County be disposed of in county-owned landfills.